Entertaining your kids can be a tricky business at the best of times, but even more difficult during the holidays. For kids, the thought of a few weeks off from school is enough to send them into a whirlwind of excitement. For us parents, it can be difficult to find something to do to occupy all this free time. Owensboro Parent has compiled a list of fun-filled activities you can do with the whole family during the holiday season.
Christmas Parade –November 21, 4 – 7:30 p.m. “A Bicentennial Christmas”- Downtown
The Owensboro Christmas Parade, “where Kentucky starts Christmas.” For 79 years, the Owensboro Christmas Parade has been an annual, holiday family tradition, taking place on the Saturday before Thanksgiving. Each year, thousands line the streets of downtown Owensboro as nearly 120 floats, marching bands and other displays roll by, handing out candy to children eagerly awaiting Santa’s arrival on the very last float. This year Owensboro’s own Florence Henderson will Grand Marshal the parade. Read more here.
Holiday in The Park – November 26 through January 3 – Legion Park
Walk through the beautifully decorated Legion Park and you will truly become filled with the joy and spirit of the Holiday!
Christmas at Panther Creek -November 27 through January 2 – Panther Creek Park
A drive through tour featuring 500,000 Christmas lights and displays. Open nightly 6-9 p.m. $3 per vehicle.
Owensboro Christmas Show – December 4-6 | Owensboro Convention Center
Over 200 vendors from across the region selling 1,000’s of Christmas gift items with even more Christmas craft booths than last year. While this is a great event for shopping, it will also be the perfect event for kids with free pictures with Santa and free inflatables. Admission is $2 for adults. Children 12 and under are free. Read more here.
Holiday Stroll – Saturday, December 5, 1 – 8 p.m. | Downtown Owensboro
Stroll the downtown streets to get in the holiday spirit. Strolling carolers, storefront decorations, and indoor performers will make this evening a reminder of the good ole days of being downtown at Christmas. The stroll will take place on Second and Third Streets from Daviess to St. Ann. The official lighting of the holiday tree in Smothers Park will also take place. Read more here.
Holiday Stroll Gingerbread Celebration – December 5 | 1 – 6 p.m. Convention Center
During the Downtown Holiday Stroll, stroll right on over to the Owensboro Convention Center for free story time, cookie decorating, and more.
Owensboro Dance Theatre’s Nutcracker Brunch – Saturday, December 5, 11:30 a.m. | Cannon Hall Stage at RiverPark Center
Plenty of excitement for boys and girls ages 3 to 10 years old. Come get your picture taken with the principal characters from the Nutcracker, visit with Santa, enjoy a great meal with Chef Gil plus a Nutcracker craft and take home a goody bag. For tickets email odt1982@gmail or call 270-684-9580. Space is limited.
The Nutcracker Presented by Owensboro Dance Theatre – Saturday, December 5, 7 p.m. | RiverPark Center
Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s classic ballet is brought to life on the Cannon Hall stage with elaborate sets, costumes and one very special toy. Children of all ages will find the magic and joy of Christmas through the beauty of music and dance. This outstanding production will fill the stage with light, movement, color and sound and delight students with its imaginative renderings of a classic ballet. Showcasing performances by 6 seasoned professional dancers from Atlanta, Chicago and Denver, audiences will be thrilled by their expertise, grace and athleticism.
An Irish Christmas – December 6, 7 p.m. RiverPark Center
An Irish Christmas brings just about everything to the table – joy, hope, laugh ter, friendship, celebration, of life through storytelling, music, song, and dance in a night that sparkles with life and a bit of ‘magic!’
Skate with Santa – Saturday, December 12, 1-4 p.m.| Edge Ice Center
Your kids will love this family event! Enjoy a classic winter pastime and make it even more festive with Santa. Cost is $5 and includes free hot chocolate. Contact Edge Ice Center at 270-687-8720 for more information.
The Lanham Brothers Jamboree Christmas Show – Saturday, December 12, 7 – 9 p.m. Diamond Lake Resort Good Time Theater.
This family –friendly show features Country, Bluegrass, Gospel, Clogging, Square Dancing, Comedy and Crowd Interaction. Tickets are general admission at the door and are $12 person, $6 for ages 6-12 years and ages 5 and under are free. Tickets can also be purchased on line at www.lanhambrothersjamboree.com
Owensboro Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops – December 13, 3 p.m. I RiverPark Center
Chestnuts roasting on an open fire, Jack Frost nipping at your nose, Yuletide carols being sung by a choir…and the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra spreading holiday cheer with the annual Holiday Pops concert! A sleigh full of guest artists, including American Idol finalist, Jenny Beth Willis, Owensboro Symphony Chorus, Owensboro Symphony Youth Orchestra, combined children’s chorus from City and County Elementary Schools, Owensboro High School Red Steel Drum Ensemble, and actors from Theater Workshop of Owensboro will join the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra for favorite carols, cherished holiday tunes, seasonal orchestral pieces and a Christmas carol sing-along. One of the most festive events of the year, make the Holiday Pops part of your holiday tradition.
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer: The Musical – December 15, 7 p.m. I RiverPark Center
The beloved TV classic RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER soars off the screen and onto the stage this holiday season. Come see all of your favorite characters from the classic TV special.
Holiday Break Camp – December 21-31 | Owensboro Parks and Recreation
Tis the season to be jolly! Register your child for Holiday Camp with Owensboro Parks and Recreation so he/she can be jolly with us and have a great time making new friends, playing, and just being a kid. Our Day Camp is the only traditional day camp in Owensboro Kentucky with accreditation from the American Camp Association. Holiday Break Camp will be an unforgettable experience full of fun and excitement! Camp hours are Monday – Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m. There will be no camp on December 24-25 or January 1. The cost is $70 for the whole week and $60 for 3 days or fewer. The deadline to register is December 11. Contact Owensboro Parks and Recreation at 270-687-8700 for more information.
UK vs. UL Game Viewing – December 26 | Owensboro Convention Center
Join us to watch the big game! Admission is free and no reservations are needed.
Arctic Adventure – January 2-3 I Owensboro Convention Center
The Arctic Adventure Kids Fun Festival presented by One Health Pediatrics is an indoor, polar playground full of activities for kids of all ages! Fun for kids. Free for adults. No parkas needed. Read more here.
Winter Break at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History
December 18, Night at the Museum (Almost) – 6 – 9 p.m. A night of discovery at the museum with flashlight tours, special activities, and door prizes. $5 for non-members. $4 for members.
December 22 – Star Lab! 11 & 11:30 a.m. I Coal Mine Tour! 3 p.m.
December 23 – Cave Scavenger Hunt! 11 a.m. I Coal Mine Tour! 3 p.m.
December 29 – Cave Scavenger Hunt! 11 a.m. I Make your own bird feeder with the Daviess County Audubon Society – 2 p.m. I Coal Mine Tour! – 3 p.m.
December 31 – Noon Year’s Eve 9:30 – 1 p.m. Face painting, noise makers & party hats, dance party, and ballon drop to welcome in the “noon” year.
Daviess County Public Library Activities
Gingerbread Man Decorating Contest – November 1 – 22 | Daviess County Public Library
Children are invited to design a gingerbread man. Winning designs will be announced December 5 at the Owensboro Convention Center during Gingerbread Impossible. This event is for ages 3-12. For more information, please contact 270-684-0211, ext. 250.
Old Fashioned Christmas Tree Decorating – November 24, 6:30 – 7:30 p.m. | Daviess County Public Library
Invite the family and join us for our annual Christmas Tree decorating event. The United Daughters of the Confederacy will talk about how pioneers celebrated the holidays, and then we will decorate our tree the old-fashioned way. For more information, please contact 270- 684-0211, ext. 250.
Turkey Scavenger Hunt – November 23 – 25 | Daviess County Public Library
Find the hidden turkey feathers in the Children’s Area to win a small prize. For more information, please contact 270-684-0211, ext. 250.
Children’s Winter Reading Program – December 1 – 31 | Daviess County Public Library
Children are invited to wrap up the year with some good reads and prizes. Read 5 books and win a prize! Sign up at www.dcplibrary.org or visit the library. This event is for ages 0-12. For more information, please contact 270-684-0211, ext. 250.
Christmas Tree Decorating Drop-in Craft – December 1, 4 – 6 p.m. | Daviess County Public Library
Drop in to create a fun ornament to help decorate the library Christmas tree. This event is for ages 12 and younger. For more information, please contact 270-684-0211, ext. 250.
Guess the Holiday Characters – December 7 – 23 | Daviess County Public Library
Guess the characters on display to win a small prize. For more information, please contact 270-684-0211, ext. 250.
Sundown Storytime: Winter Tales – December 8, 6 – 7 p.m. | Daviess County Public Library
Get cozy in your warmest pajamas and join us for some cool winter stories and a fun craft. Recommended for families. For more information, please contact 270-684-0211, ext. 250.
Storytime with Santa – December 15, 10 – 11 a.m. | Daviess County Public Library
Join Santa for a fun Christmas story time and craft. Don’t forget to bring your camera for the meet & greet after the program! For more information, please contact 270-684-0211, ext. 250.
